Rim extension device

ABSTRACT

A rim extension device for simulating the appearance of low profile tires. The rim extension device includes a disk. The disk has a front surface and a back surface. The disk has a hole therethrough substantially positioned in a medial portion of the disk. The hole has a diameter generally equal to a diameter of a rim of an automobile wheel. A peripheral wall is integrally coupled to and extends away from a peripheral edge of the hole. A plurality of coupling members is each securely attached to the peripheral wall and each is adapted to releasably engage the rim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to rims and hubcaps and moreparticularly pertains to a new rim extension device for simulating theappearance of low profile tires.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The use of rims and hubcaps is known in the prior art. Morespecifically, rims and hub caps heretofore devised and utilized areknown to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structuralconfigurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by thecrowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment ofcountless objectives and requirements.

[0005] Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,726; U.S. Pat. No.4,929,031; U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,561; U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,705; U.S. Pat.No. 3,252,738; and U.S. Pat. No. 257,508.

[0006] While these devices fulfill their respective, particularobjectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disklosea new rim extension device. The inventive device includes a disk. Thedisk has a front surface and a back surface. The disk has a holetherethrough substantially positioned in a medial portion of the disk.The hole has a diameter generally equal to a diameter of a rim of anautomobile wheel. A peripheral wall is integrally coupled to and extendsaway from a peripheral edge of the hole. A plurality of coupling membersis each securely attached to the peripheral wall and each is adapted toreleasably engage the rim.

[0007] In these respects, the rim extension device according to thepresent invention substantially departs from the conventional conceptsand designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatusprimarily developed for the purpose of simulating the appearance of lowprofile tires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the knowntypes of rims and hubcaps now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new rim extension device construction wherein thesame can be utilized for simulating the appearance of low profile tires.

[0009] The general purpose of the present invention, which will bedescribed subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new rimextension device apparatus and method which has many of the advantagesof the rims and hubcaps mentioned heretofore and many novel featuresthat result in a new rim extension device which is not anticipated,rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior artrims and hubcaps, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0010] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a disk.The disk has a front surface and a back surface. The disk has a holetherethrough substantially positioned in a medial portion of the disk.The hole has a diameter generally equal to a diameter of a rim of anautomobile wheel. A peripheral wall is integrally coupled to and extendsaway from a peripheral edge of the hole. A plurality of coupling membersis each securely attached to the peripheral wall and each is adapted toreleasably engage the rim.

[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0012] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

[0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theconception, upon which this disklosure is based, may readily be utilizedas a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systemsfor carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It isimportant, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

[0014] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, andespecially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art whoare not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thetechnical disklosure of the application. The abstract is neitherintended to define the invention of the application, which is measuredby the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of theinvention in any way.

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anew rim extension device apparatus and method which has many of theadvantages of the rims and hubcaps mentioned heretofore and many novelfeatures that result in a new rim extension device which is notanticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of theprior art rims and hubcaps, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a newrim extension device which may be easily and efficiently manufacturedand marketed.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a newrim extension device which is of a durable and reliable construction.

[0018] An even further object of the present invention is to provide anew rim extension device which is susceptible of a low cost ofmanufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and whichaccordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consumingpublic, thereby making such rim extension device economically availableto the buying public.

[0019] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide anew rim extension device which provides in the apparatuses and methodsof the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneouslyovercoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

[0020] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a newrim extension device for simulating the appearance of low profile tires.

[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newrim extension device which includes a disk. The disk has a front surfaceand a back surface. The disk has a hole therethrough substantiallypositioned in a medial portion of the disk. The hole has a diametergenerally equal to a diameter of a rim of an automobile wheel. Aperipheral wall is integrally coupled to and extends away from aperipheral edge of the hole. A plurality of coupling members is eachsecurely attached to the peripheral wall and each is adapted toreleasably engage the rim.

[0022] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide anew rim extension device that is retrofittable to existing rims.

[0023] Even still another object of the present invention is to providea new rim extension device that is easily removable from the rim.

[0024] These together with other objects of the invention, along withthe various features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disklosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention will be better understood and objects other thanthose set forth above will become apparent when consideration is givento the following detailed description thereof. Such description makesreference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new rim extensiondevice according to the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded view of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1through 4 thereof, a new rim extension device embodying the principlesand concepts of the present invention and generally designated by thereference numeral 10 will be described.

[0031] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the rim extensiondevice 10 generally comprises a disk 12. The disk 12 has a front surface14 and a back surface 16. The front surface 14 is preferably concave.The disk 12 has a hole 18 therethrough. The hole 18 is substantiallypositioned in a medial portion of the disk 12. The disk 12 has adiameter generally between fifteen inches and twenty inches. The hole 18has a diameter generally equal to a diameter of a rim 70 of a tire 72 onwhich the device 10 is to placed. Ideally, the disk 12 diameter will be2 inches to 4 inches greater than the rim 70 diameter. Conventional rims70, for which the device is intended, have diameters equal to 13, 14,15, and 16 inches.

[0032] A peripheral wall 20 is integrally coupled to and extends awayfrom a peripheral edge of the hole 18. The peripheral wall 20 isadjacent to the back surface 16 of surface of the disk 12 and extendsaway from the front surface 14 to generally define a cylinder.

[0033] A plurality of coupling members 22 are securely attached to theperipheral wall 20 and are adapted to releasably engage the rim 70. Eachof the coupling members 22 comprises a tab 24 defined by a pair of slots26 extending into a free edge 28 of the peripheral wall 20. Each of thetabs 24 has a first portion 30 positioned adjacent to the free edge 28of the peripheral wall 20. Each of the first portions 30 is convex suchthat the first portions 30 extend away from the peripheral wall 20.

[0034] In use, the device 10 is placed on the rim 70 so that tabs 24 mayengage a peripheral lip of the rim 70. Additional coupling members maybe used to further the look of an expanded rim. These include a baseportion 32 coupled to the lug nuts of the tire 72. A hubcap 34 forpositioning over the base portion 32. A fastening member 36 forfastening the hubcap 34 to the base portion 32 using a tool 38 designedfor the fastening member 36 as the fastening member has a protrudingmember thereon for being engagedly received by a cap 40. Once on the rim70, the device 10 gives the impression that the rim is larger tosimulate a low profile tire.

[0035] As to a further diskussion of the manner of usage and operationof the present invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further diskussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

[0036] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realizedthat the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readilyapparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalentrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0037] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofthe principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modificationsand changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. An automobile rim extension device for simulating alow-profile wheel, said device being removably coupled to the rim of anautomobile wheel, said device comprising: a disk, said disk having afront surface and a back surface, said disk having a hole therethrough,said hole being substantially positioned in a medial portion of saiddisk, said hole having a diameter generally equal to a diameter of saidrim; a peripheral wall being integrally coupled to and extending awayfrom a peripheral edge of said hole; and a plurality of coupling membersbeing securely attached to said peripheral wall and being adapted toreleasably engage the rim.
 2. The automobile rim extension device as inclaim 1, wherein said front surface of said disk is generally concave.3. The automobile rim extension device as in claim 1, wherein said diskhas a diameter generally between fifteen inches and twenty inches. 4.The automobile rim extension device as in claim 1, wherein each of saidcoupling members comprises: a tab, each of said tabs being defined by apair of slots extending into a free edge of said peripheral wall, eachof said tabs having a first portion positioned adjacent to said freeedge of said peripheral wall, each of said first portions being convexsuch that said first portions extend away from said peripheral wall. 5.An automobile rim extension device for simulating a low-profile wheel,said device being removably coupled to the rim of an automobile wheel,said device comprising: a disk, said disk having a front surface and aback surface, said front surface being concave, said disk having a holetherethrough, said hole being substantially positioned in a medialportion of said disk, said disk having a diameter generally betweenfifteen inches and twenty inches, said hole having a diameter generallyequal to a diameter of said rim; a peripheral wall being integrallycoupled to and extending away from a peripheral edge of said hole, saidperipheral wall being adjacent to said back surface of surface of saiddisk; and a plurality of coupling members being securely attached tosaid peripheral wall and being adapted to releasably engage the rim,each of said coupling members comprising a tab, each of said tabs beingdefined by a pair of slots extending into a free edge of said peripheralwall, each of said tabs having a first portion positioned adjacent tosaid free edge of said peripheral wall, each of said first portionsbeing convex such that said first portions extend away from saidperipheral wall.